Djokovic wins Serb battle in New York

Novak Djokovic struggled with his serve but lucked out as fellow Serb Laslo Djere fell victim to injury and had to hand the four-time champion a 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 trip into the US Open third round on Wednesday.

Djokovic took revenge against his 109-ranked opponent, the only player to take a set off of him during a run to the title here a year ago. 

Former world No. 1 Djokovic his compatriot trailed two sets to love before starting his comeback in their round of 32 match 12 months ago.

Djokovic earned his 90th win at Flushing Meadows, becoming the first male player in history to record 90 wins at all four Slams over a career.  

Djere was seen by the physio and treated on court for what looked to be abdominal and perhaps lower back problems. The player underwent elbow surgery last spring.

Djokovic had a miserable day in his two-and-a-quarter-hour win, with 30 winners but 40 unforced errors. The second seed broke four times from 10 chances.

“A retirement is not what we want to see,” the 37-year-old said. “He had an injury that took him away from the Tour for some time.

“He is struggling coming back to his level. But the match was a big fight.

“The second set (he led 3-1) should have been his. I served awful and had to grind, had to run. I had to rely on my baseline game.”

Eighth seed Casper Ruud beat Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (3) but only after a rain interruption which delayed the final outcome by several hours. 

Wimbledon semi-finalist and Olympic silver medalist Lorenzo Musetti went the distance and saved a pair of match points in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5.defeat of Serb Miomir Kecmanovic which lasted for four hours.

But there was no chance for Italian Matteo Berrettini, who lost comprehensively to 12th seed Taylor Fritz 6-3, 7-6 (1), 6-1.